Eugenia sp.nov. Barrière 400 is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia. It is only known from two subpopulations (Vulcain, Camp des Sapins) restricted to the southern massifs of Grande Terre. It occurs in scrubland (maquis) on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 450 and 750 m asl. The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires. This species occurs in mining sites perimeters so it can be potentially impacted by mining activities. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both estimated to be of 12 km² while the number of locations are estimated to be two. This new species is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) with an estimated continuing decline of all the concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Eugenia sp.nov. Barrière 400 is endemic to New Caledonia where it is only known from two subpopulations (Vulcain, Camp des Sapins) restricted to the southern massifs of Grande Terre.

Population

The population size is not known.

Habitat

This species occurs in scrubland (maquis) on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 450 and 750 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are linked to habitat damage by uncontrolled bushfires. This species occurs in mining sites perimeters so it can be potentially impacted by mining activities.

Conservation

This new species is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Searches in surrounding ultramafic massifs are needed in order to better estimate its population and threats. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. It is proposed to monitor the populations and to preserve a viable population within delimited perimeters on the mining area.

Bibliography

Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].

Morat, P.; Jaffré, T.; Tronchet, F.; Munzinger, J.; Pillon, Y.; Veillon, J.-M. and Chalopin, M. 2012. Le référentiel taxonomique Florical et les caractéristiques de la flore vasculaire indigène de la Nouvelle-Calédonie [The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia]. Adansonia sér 3(34) , p.177-219.

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.